Duration: 3 minutes or less

In recent years, airlines have become increasingly more restrictive, with bans on cigarette smoking and dozens of new security precautions. Yet at press time no major airline has taken any steps to prevent small children from harassing the passengers seated in front of them. Now I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather inhale second-hand smoke than sit in front of a hyperactive four-year-old who keeps opening and closing his seat tray. Next time you find yourself near a hyper-kinetic tyke, try this simple demonstration to make Junior back off.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

One deck of airline playing cards
One small hyper child

1. Ask the flight attendant for a deck of playing cards. Most commercial airlines provide these for free. (Fig. A)

2. Remove the cards from the pack, show them to the annoying child, and ask if he would like to play a game. (Fig. B)

3. Notice how Lloyd has the cards squared perfectly. Grip the cards in your left hand with your thumb and fingers at the bottom. (Fig. C)

4. Lift your right hand toward the top of the deck and rest the ball of your right thumb against the front of the deck. Your remaining fingers will rest against the back of the deck. (Fig. D)

5. While keeping the grip of your left hand steady, pull the top of the cards toward you with your right hand. (Fig. E)

6. If the cards do not slip, the first pull should break the deck halfway. A second pull should break the deck in half. (Fig. F)

7. Scatter the torn cards around the stunned child and return to your seat. This activity may invoke rude stares from surrounding grown-up passengers, but I guarantee that Junior will stop kicking the back of your seat. (Fig. G)